Other than the Flyers taking over the top spot, it was a pretty quiet week in the NHL. The
biggest move was at the bottom, where New Jersey (say, what?) made a move. Here are this week's NHL
power rankings, courtesy of
Dispatch reporter Aaron Portzline, with last week's rankings in ( ):

1. Philadelphia (2): We'll forgive the loss to New Jersey on Saturday. The Flyers are 9-2-0 in
2011 and 17-5-3 on the road.

2. Vancouver (1): A four-game losing streak is a bit misleading, with an OT and two shootout
losses in the mix. The Canucks keep picking up points.

3. Dallas (3): Club record 8-game win streak is over, but wouldn't it be wild if the Stars
caught Detroit atop the West before the All-Star break?

4. Pittsburgh (5) No Sid, no Geno. For the Penguins, the All-Star Game couldn't come at a better
time. Nor could two games against the Islanders.

5. Detroit (4): Only regulation win this month for the hurtin' and hobbled Red Wings, and it
came Jan. 4 in Edmonton.

6. Nashville (6): If coach Barry Trotz gets this club in the top six of the West at season's
end, he deserves the Jack Adams Trophy.

7. Boston (7): Goaltender Tim Thomas is the league-leader in save percentage and goals-against
average, and it's not even close at this point.

8. Tampa Bay (11): Even when the Lightning are playing well, it looks like mayhem on the ice.
Pucks and playing flying everywhere.